Carl Leonard Sitter is Born

Today in Masonic History Carl Leonard Sitter is born in 1922.

Carl Leonard Sitter was an American soldier.

Sitter was born on December 2nd, 1922 in Syracuse, Missouri. His family moved to Pueblo, Colorado where he grew up and attended local schools. He graduated from Pueblo's Central High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on June 22nd, 1940.

Sitter's initial duty station was Iceland where he spent 8 months. Afterward he was transferred to Wallis Islands which is a French island in the South Pacific, Northwest of Fiji. There he received a field commission to the rank of Second Lieutenant. He later received a regular commission.

During World War II, Sitter saw action in the Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands and Guam. He was first wounded in February of 1944 on Eniwetok and almost immediately returned to action. Every time Sitter was wounded roughly the same story came out. He refused to fall back and seek medical attention until his mission was complete and his men were safe. While on Guam he was wounded again and this time received the Silver Star.

During the Korean War, Sitter's behavior continued while under enemy fire. In a battle at Hagaru-ri, Korea, Sitter and other United Nation troops were surrounded by Chinese troops near the Chosin Reservoir. Sitter, then a captain, was wounded by hand grenades and refused to leave the battlefield. For his actions in the battle he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Sitter had a thirty year career in the United States Marine Corp before leaving the service in 1970 as a colonel. After the Marines he worked for the Virginia Department of Social Services where he retired in 1985.

Sitter passed away on April 4th, 2000.

Sitter was a member of Oasis of Mara Masonic Lodge No.735 in Twentynine Palms, California.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.